Tape dispenser



May 14, 1957 R. B. KRESSER TAPE DISPENSER Filed June 25, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 R. B. KRESSER May 14, 1%57 TAPE DISPENSER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 25, 1955 TAPE DISPENSER Robert B. Kresser, Holbrook, Mass.

Application June 23, 1955, Serial No. 517,535

9 Claims. (Cl. 242-555) My present invention is a novel and improved form of combined pressure-sensitive tape holder, dispenser, and worktable for use in the tape applying operation.

In my prior and copending patent application Ser. No. 485,034, filed January 31, 1955, I have illustrated and claimed the combination of a worktable with a vertically" positioned roll of tape, which vertical position was the generally accepted construction for this type of device.

In my present and improved form, I have designed an entirely and distinctly new type tape-dispensing apparatus wherein the roll of tape is positioned horizontally and hasprovision for the feeding of the tape, particularly where pressure-sensitive adhesive tape is employed tofeed the same over a horizontal worktable, with an intermediate masking strip where double-coated tape is employed, removing the same and reeling it on a separate roll, enabling me to provide a more compact, efiicient, and desirable device.

My present invention eliminates the former objections of a vertically positioned or upstanding positioned tapeholding apparatus which ordinarily was provided with a narrow base and constituted an upstanding projection on a desk or table, and which would be objectionably cumbersome and unsightly.

Also, where a worktable was attached, as shown in my said prior application, it added unduly to the length of the device and the room required. In my present invention, with the horizontally arranged apparatus to hold the tape roll, worktable, and masking roll, all in a convenient, compact, and rectangular casing or enclosure, the objections to prior devices of this type are completely eliminated.

A further important feature of my present improved tape-dispensing device consists in the provision of means to automatically hold tape rolls of varying widths each in yielding alignment with tape-dispensing guards or rolls, leading the same to the dispensing table so that if a narrow tape is being employed it will not ride up and be disali-gned from proper position.

Further important features consist in the tape-guiding means from the tape roll-holder to the work-table; the masking tape-reeling device where double coated tape is employed; and covering, enclosing, and protecting constructions, all of which are compactly arranged and of suificient weight to dispense with the necessity of one hand of the operator holding the same.

Other features, combinations, and improved constructions will be hereinafter more fully pointed out and claimed.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view, with the cover removed, of my improved tape-holding, dispensing, and worktable construction;

Fig. 2 is an end view, also with the cover removed, looking in the direction of the arrow A of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of the tape-guiding means from the roll to the worktable;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view in perspective of my tape dispenser and worktable;

tates Pat F Patented May 14, 1951 the worktable, particularly where double coated tape is.

employed, and

Fig. 6 is illustrative of tape-attached layers made on the worktable.

Fig. 7 illustrates in perspective a modification showing the cover and worktable as integral so that both may be raised and lowered simultaneously on the same pivot.

Referring to the drawings, I have illustrated my improved tape dispenser wherein a double-coated layer of tape is employed together with an intermediate masking liner to prevent sticking of the tape layers to each other, and wherein I utilize a novel form of liner-removing reel which is rotated directly in contact with the roll of tape being unwound and thereby eliminating the former method of employing a belt and pulley attachment.

As shown in the drawings, I provide a rectangular base 1- preferably fitted on the bottom surface with a rubber or felt mat to rest firmly on a desk or table, and in combination with the weight and form of my improved dispenser to save the necessity of holding the same while in operation. A cover 3 is pivoted to opposite corners of the base 1 thru pivots. 66- passing thru side flanges 7 -7 on the cover, see Fig. 4, which cover is lifted up to replace a roll of tape and remove the liner.

I have illustrated Figs. 1 and 2 with the cover removed 7 for greater clarity. Fitted in the base 1 is an upstanding pivot pin 19 on which a bushing 11 is fitted and constitutes an axle for a rotating holder 12 of suitable diameter to receive a roll of tape 15, such tape being usually wound around a paper cylinder 16 of suitable diameter to fit over the rotatable holder 12, which holder may be and preferably does have a plurality of ribs or ridges 17 to given wedging fit on the holder, which is rotated on the pin 10 when the tape 20 is drawn therefrom.

In order to remove the liner 21, which is rolled between the double-coated adhesive tape I mount a reel 24 to. rotate on a pin 25, which pin is set into a horizontally positioned arm or plate 26 pivoted on a pin 27 in a corner portion of the base 1. The plate 26 with the liner 21 being wound thereon is impelled toward the tape roll 15 and in contact therewith, as shown in Fig. 1, by a spring? plate 26,

i a stud 36 on the swinging plate 26, which hold-down is swung into position over the top of the tape roll 15 when a. narrow roll of tape is employed. Ordinarily, the roll of tape 15 will be wedgingly secured on the holder 12" but in order to provide a limit for same, I may supply a washer or the like 38 on which the bottom of the tape may rest, as shown in Fig. 2.

It is desirable and important to have the centers of the studs 10 and 25 on the same radius relatively with the stud 27 so that the swinging plate 26 will hold the tape roll 15 and the reel 24 in the same arc as the tape roll decreases in diameter and the liner increases, thus maintaining contact between the same at substantially the same point.

As shown in the drawings, I provide a worktable 40 which is raised and lowered to facilitate application of a new roll 15 by providing a forked end, as indicated at 41 and 42 at the left, viewing Fig. 1, which forked portion is pivoted on the axle 43 of a roller 44, the axle of said roller being mounted on upstanding brackets 45 and 46 formed on aibottom member 47 secured to the top of the base 1.

The roller 44 is also knurled or otherwise roughened to prevent the tape fromsticking to same. In order to guide the tape 20 from the roll 15, I ararnge a rotating idler 50 having a non-tape adhering surface mounted on a suitable pin 51 secured in the base 1 and over which the tape 20 will be led to the roll 44, going underneath the roller and being led over the top as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 3 and onto the worktable 40. The worktable 40 is also provided with a back rim or ridge 54 to constitute a guide and gauge for drawing off the tape 20 thereover; and at the end opposite to the roll 44, I fit a cutting element 55 as best shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

As thus described, the roll of tape being fitted over the holder 12 when the cover 3 and worktable 40 are raised out of the way and the tape pulled off sufiiciently to be led around the idler and guide 50 and over the roll 44 and, meanwhile, the intermediate layer 21 is wrapped around the reel 24. Thereupon, as the tape is drawn over the worktable, the liner is wound up on the reelthru the frictional contact of the liner on the tape roll 15, as already described, and the tape may be cut olf on the cutter 55, or, and preferably, the worktable may be utilized to effect attachment of the tape on the worktable to the under side of a sheet of paper 60, as illustrated in Fig. 5.

Thereupon the tape 21 and the attached sheet 60 are drawn over the cutter 55 and severed at the correct position in alignment with the edge of the sheet 60, thus having one adhesive coating on the tape attached thereto, while the bottom of the tape is ready to be attached by application of the same to a second sheet 61, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

Referring to the showing of Fig. 7, I have herein illustrated the cover and the worktable together with the guiding flange and cutter all in one piece, preferably of molded plastic. As shown, the top 70 has the guiding flange 71 adjacent the worktable 72 all as an integral molded material together with the side depending flange 73 running entirely around the table and giving a desirable finish as well as a strengthening structure. This form permits the cover 70 and worktable 72 to be hinged on the pivot 6 and to be raised and lowered simultaneously by the lifting and lowering of the same thru the finger-holds 75, one on each side, or any other lifting means. In this form, also, the cutter 55 is fitted at the end of the worktable and will be raised and lowered with it and the cover. A notch is provided in the worktable to allow the same to be fitted over the guide roller 44.

While the unitary cover, worktable, and guide flange may thus be molded of plastic, it may also'be stamped out of suitable material or alloy. I prefer, however, to utilize a synthetic plastic material of such consistency that the coated under surface of the tape 40 may be drawn thereover along the worktable and a sheet applied to the upper side of the double-coated tape without the lower side of the tape adhering to the worktable. I find that a suitable plastic for this purpose is known commercially as Boltaron, comprising bptadyne styrene co-polymer which has a non-adhesive surface. Other synthetic plastics such as that known as Royalite may also be employed.

I claim:

1. Tape dispensing apparatus of the kind described, comprising a base adapted to rest on a support, an upstanding pivot pin, a rotatable holder mounted on said upstanding pivot pin, said holder being constructed and arranged to receive a roll of tape in horizontal position, a worktable pivotally attached to said base and in operative position within the area of the base, an idler supported on the base adjacent the holder to conduct tape unwound from said horizontally positioned roller to a position across said worktable, and a cutting element at one end of the worktable in the line of movement in which the tape is led.

2. Construction as set forth in claim 1, wherein a swinging arm is supported on the base horizontally rotatable reel is mounted on said swinging arm, said arm being pivotally secured to said base, and means to yieldingly hold the reel in contact with a roll of tape on said holder, said reel being adapted to receive and wind up a liner from the roll of tape where double pressure-coated tape is employed.

'3. Construction as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tape holder and rotatable reel are each mounted on pivots located in substantially the same radius as the pivot of the arm carrying the reel.

4. Construction as set forth in claim 1 wherein the idler between the tape holder and the worktable is provided with a non-tape-adhering surface.

5. Construction as set forth in claim 1 wherein the worktable is so positioned on its pivot to partially overlap the adjacent portion of the tape roll and is pivotally movable to permit replacement of a tape roll.

6. Construction as set forth in claim 1, wherein a pivoted cover and said worktable are formed as a single member.

7. Construction as set forth in claim 4, wherein the non-tape-adhering surface on the worktable is of synthetic plastic material.

8. Construction as set forth in claim 4 wherein the nontape-adhering surface of the worktable is of synthetic plastic material comprises butadyne styrene co-polymer.

9. Construction as set forth in claim 7, wherein the cover, the worktable, and work-guide are molded as one piece of synthetic plastic material comprising butadyne styrene co-polymer.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Christian Aug. 10, 1954 

